Generating Orthoimages from Drone Photos in the Cloud – Visualize Sites Easily and Instantly

Table of Contents

• What is an orthoimage?

• Traditional methods for creating orthoimages and their challenges

• Orthoimage generation services evolving in the cloud

• Main benefits of using the cloud

• Why it’s easy for beginners to use

• Broad applications of orthoimages across industries

• Conclusion

• Frequently asked questions

What is an orthoimage?

In recent years, the use of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) for site surveying and monitoring has rapidly expanded. One of the deliverables obtained from analyzing drone photographs is the “orthoimage.” An orthoimage is a high-resolution image created by stitching together multiple aerial photos taken by a drone, correcting distortions to produce an orthographic projection as if viewed from directly above. In ordinary photographs, parts closer to the camera appear larger while distant parts appear smaller, causing “distortion,” but an orthoimage presents every location as if viewed from directly overhead, allowing accurate measurement of dimensions and spatial relationships—just like a map. Think of the aerial imagery in online map services: scenes where building walls are not visible and only roofs appear are prime examples of orthoimages. Capturing the entire site with such distortion-free overhead imagery enables intuitive and precise situational awareness that conventional plans or ordinary photos cannot provide.

Traditional methods for creating orthoimages and their challenges

The technology to create orthoimages from drone photos has existed for some time, but before cloud services appeared, it was common to use dedicated photogrammetry software. These applications needed to be installed on high-performance in-house PCs, and users had to import and process dozens to hundreds of photos. Although high-precision orthoimages could be produced by traditional methods, there were several major hurdles.

• High-performance PCs and expensive software are required: Photo analysis demands large amounts of memory and GPU power, so processing large orthoimages required high-spec PCs. Photogrammetry software itself is often specialized and costly to license, making adoption difficult for small and medium-sized businesses and local governments.

• Processing time and effort are substantial: After field capture, it was common to return to the office and run computation for long periods—sometimes overnight—before results were ready the next day. Many configuration options are involved in analysis, and achieving optimal results required expertise and trial-and-error.

• Data management and sharing are burdensome: Generated orthoimage files can be very large (sometimes several GB), and saving, backing up, or transferring them to stakeholders was a challenge. Many outputs required dedicated viewers or GIS software to open, adding effort before the results could be shared and utilized.

• Additional manual work may be necessary: Using orthoimages sometimes requires extra editing, such as removing unwanted objects captured in photos or manually adjusting alignment between images. Such manual steps increase the risk of human error and the overall workload.

Because of these costs, time requirements, and burdens, many projects failed to fully exploit the potential of the large number of photos captured by drones. Consequently, demand grew for easier ways to use the acquired drone imagery.

Orthoimage generation services evolving in the cloud

Cloud-based services that complete orthoimage generation on the cloud emerged to meet that need. With cloud services, users simply upload drone images to a website, and the server performs automatic photo analysis and image compositing. By leveraging powerful cloud servers over the internet, large-scale photo processing became feasible without a high-spec PC on hand.

Here’s a simple explanation of how cloud orthoimage creation works. First, the user creates a project in a web browser and uploads multiple aerial photos. The cloud executes photogrammetry algorithms that match feature points across photos and reconstruct 3D geometry. Each photo is then distortion-corrected along the reconstructed 3D surface, and they are seamlessly stitched into an orthomosaic image. Advanced parallel processing and optimization allow processing of hundreds of photos in much less time than traditional methods. Once processing is complete, the orthoimage is generated on the cloud and the user can view and download the results from the browser.

The key point is that all heavy computations are performed on the cloud, so the user’s local PC load is minimal. You can operate from a laptop or tablet, and getting results on site before returning to the office is no longer a pipe dream. In this way, cloud adoption is resolving the traditional challenges one by one.

Main benefits of using the cloud

Generating orthoimages in the cloud offers many advantages not available with conventional methods. The main benefits are summarized below.

• No need for expensive equipment or software: With cloud services, users only need a general-purpose PC and internet access. You can avoid purchasing the high-spec PCs and costly analysis software previously required, significantly reducing initial implementation costs.

• Dramatic reduction in processing time: Cloud servers’ powerful computational resources enable parallel processing, so results are obtained much faster than before. In many cases you can check orthoimages on the same day of capture and immediately apply them to decision-making or follow-up work.

• Easy data sharing and management: Generated orthoimages are stored in the cloud, making it simple to share online with stakeholders or present them to headquarters directly from the field. The hassle of transferring large files or requiring dedicated software for viewing is reduced, and anyone can access necessary information via a browser.

• High quality without specialized knowledge: The service automatically optimizes the complex analysis parameters, so users only need to prepare and upload photos to get high-quality results. As algorithms have advanced, even non-experts can obtain consistently accurate orthoimages.

• Always up-to-date technology: Cloud services are continuously improved by providers, so users automatically benefit from feature enhancements and accuracy improvements without needing to update software themselves. Tasks that were difficult before may become feasible with the latest updates, meaning ongoing use of the service yields increasing benefits.

Why it’s easy for beginners to use

When adopting new technology, it’s natural to worry, “Can we really use this ourselves?” Cloud-based orthoimage generation services are designed to be usable even by those without surveying or IT expertise.

First, the operation is very simple. Many services provide clear Japanese-language web interfaces, and by following on-screen prompts to upload drone photos, processing proceeds automatically. There’s no need to worry about complex parameter settings or technical jargon—just upload the photos you took and an orthoimage will be created.

Second, support systems are robust. Especially with domestically developed services, phone and email support, detailed operation manuals, and online training videos are commonly provided, offering strong assistance for beginners. Having a help desk to contact when you encounter problems allows continued confident use in the field. Some services even offer on-site support from specialists during deployment or provide thorough follow-up during trial periods. This helps engineers unfamiliar with IT or drones adopt the new technology smoothly.

Furthermore, cloud services themselves are constantly evolving. Users do not need to perform complicated version upgrades; new features and accuracy improvements are automatically applied. Because the service improves the more it is used, beginners can easily enjoy the benefits of the latest technology.

Overall, cloud-based orthoimage generation services lower the barrier to entry through simple operation and extensive support, enabling non-specialists to adopt and use them. From field surveyors to municipal staff, a wide range of users can comfortably start using these new solutions.

Broad applications of orthoimages across industries

As it has become easy to obtain orthoimages in the cloud, their range of application has rapidly expanded. Beyond civil engineering and construction, administrative and various private sectors are paying attention to drone-derived overhead imagery as a key to improving operational efficiency.

In civil construction sites, what used to take days for as-built surveys can now be completed in a short time using drone capture and cloud analysis. For example, applications include comparing terrain changes before and after land development with orthoimages, or checking embankment/fill and excavation shapes during construction by overlaying overhead photos with design drawings. This significantly reduces onsite surveying work, improves safety, and enables objective quality control and quantity calculations based on accurate data.

Local governments are also using orthoimages captured by drones. For road and river maintenance, incorporating drone aerial surveys into regular inspections enables staff to assess current conditions without entering hazardous slopes. Captured orthoimages can be used to update GIS registries, and comparing images from different periods makes it easy to grasp changes in terrain or sediment accumulation. Orthophotos are also effective in assessing damage after large-scale disasters, quickly mapping the spatial distribution of damage to inform initial response. These capabilities allow small teams to manage sites efficiently and contribute to municipal DX (digital transformation) efforts.

For corporate construction DX personnel, drone×cloud orthoimages are an accessible digital technology worth attention. Even without in-house photogrammetry expertise, external services can provide deliverables, so many companies start with pilot implementations. Converting drone site records into orthoimages and using them for comparison with design drawings and progress management leads to steady efficiency and labor savings. Thus, orthoimages generated in the cloud support site visualization across many fields and will continue to see expanding use.

Conclusion

Cloud services that generate high-precision orthoimages from drone photos in a short time are becoming the new norm in surveying and construction. This cloud-based approach aligns with industry DX initiatives such as the i-Construction concept advocated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and will further accelerate site digitalization. This method enables reliable results quickly without high-performance PCs or deep expertise, fundamentally reshaping conventional surveying practices. Civil engineers, municipal staff, and those driving construction DX are beginning to reap the benefits of improved situational awareness.

By removing traditional burdens and restrictions, cloud-based services accessible to anyone can dramatically improve both operational efficiency and deliverable quality. In particular, with simple surveying using LRTK, uploading drone photos to the cloud can automatically generate highly accurate point cloud data with absolute coordinates and acquire orthoimages and cross-sections in one package. The ease of use without specialized knowledge and the comprehensive support from domestic manufacturers make it possible for beginners to introduce these services immediately. Bring advanced technology to your field team and consider adopting cloud-based orthoimage generation as a new standard in your operations.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What equipment or software is needed to generate orthoimages from drones? A: Basically, a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera and an internet connection are sufficient. Capture the target area with the drone and upload the photo data to a cloud service to generate orthoimages. There is no need to prepare special software or a high-performance PC yourself. For higher-precision surveying, a drone with RTK (real-time kinematic) capability is advantageous but not essential; if RTK is not available, placing several ground control points (GCPs) can improve accuracy.

Q: How long does cloud processing take? A: Processing time varies with the number of photos and the area size, but it is significantly shorter than PC-based analysis. For example, processing several dozen photos on cloud servers can sometimes complete in several tens of minutes. For large projects, uploading overnight may yield results by the next morning, enabling faster deliverables than traditional methods. Because you can upload immediately after field capture and start processing, orthoimages may be ready by the time you return to the office.

Q: What level of accuracy can orthoimages achieve? A: Accuracy depends on flight altitude, camera performance, and surveying methods, but with sufficient photo overlap and an RTK-capable drone or ground control points, you can expect high-precision results within a few centimeters (a few inches) horizontally and vertically. Even without RTK, photogrammetric algorithms can produce models with high relative accuracy. However, if absolute coordinate accuracy is required, it is recommended to perform corrections using reference points. In any case, accuracy comparable to traditional ground surveying can be achieved.

Q: Is it safe to store confidential data in the cloud? A: Many cloud services take great care to ensure data security. Communications are encrypted, and strict security measures and access control are implemented on servers. Data is hosted in robust data center operations, so even if a user’s PC fails, the data remains in the cloud. Automatic backups reduce the risk of data loss. When contracting a service, review the privacy policy and terms of use, and choose a trusted provider to ensure secure use.

Q: I’m worried about operation. Can beginners really use it? A: Yes—operations are very simple. Many cloud services are designed with UIs accessible to non-experts, and processing proceeds simply by following on-screen instructions to upload photos. You generally do not need to be concerned with technical terminology or detailed settings. Choosing a service that provides Japanese manuals and support desks will help you resolve questions quickly. Many first-time users of drones or surveying have successfully implemented these services; starting with a small project to learn the procedure is recommended.

Q: Are there advantages to using a domestic service rather than an overseas cloud service? A: While some overseas services offer advanced features, domestic services provide advantages like Japanese-language ease of use and comprehensive support. Services developed for the domestic market are likely to support national coordinate systems and regulatory considerations, and having servers located domestically can provide reassurance regarding information leakage and legal compliance. The ability to consult in Japanese without concerns about time zones is a significant benefit. For first-time adopters, domestic services generally lower barriers and fit more naturally with local field operations.

Q: How can generated orthoimage data be used? A: Generated orthoimages have many applications. For example, orthoimages can be overlaid with CAD drawings as a substitute for plan views to check whether the post-construction shape matches the design. They can be shared among stakeholders as maps, or used to monitor changes in terrain or structures by comparing images from different times. If point cloud data or 3D models are also acquired, you can perform volume calculations or create detailed 3D visualization materials for advanced analysis. These data become valuable assets across surveying, design, construction management, and maintenance.